European Spaceflight
• Andrew Parsonson
Sirius Space has completed the first hot-fire test of its fully integrated STAR-1 rocket engine, marking a development milestone ahead of a planned 2027 demonstration flight. The test advances the company’s commercial launch vehicle program toward an in-flight demonstration.
Commercial Space
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Sirius Space has completed the first hot-fire test of its fully integrated STAR-1 rocket engine, marking a development milestone ahead of a planned 2027 demonstration flight. The test advances the company’s commercial launch vehicle program toward an in-flight demonstration.
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Europe’s space sector is entering a period of visible momentum: Isar Aerospace reached orbit on its second Spectrum flight, the UK published a new space strategy, and PLD Space unveiled a larger reusable launcher. Together, the developments signal growing commercial and national ambition across Europe’s launch market.
SpaceX is set to receive a larger weighting in the Nasdaq-100 later this month following the index’s rebalance. The change could prompt billions of dollars in purchases by passive funds that track the benchmark, increasing the financial-market impact of the private space company’s index inclusion.
Saudi Arabia’s leading telecommunications provider, stc group, has ordered a dedicated satellite from Astranis to deliver satellite communications services. The agreement expands the role of dedicated spacecraft in supporting connectivity requirements in the Saudi market and strengthens Astranis’ position in commercial satellite communications.
HyPrSpace has pushed the inaugural flight of its Baguette One suborbital rocket to 2027, when the vehicle is planned to launch from the DGA test site at Biscarrosse. The mission, announced with France’s Ministry for the Armed Forces, would mark a first for French spaceflight.
Some satellite companies continue to view dedicated launch services as essential for most missions, preserving demand for tailored access to orbit despite the broader push toward rideshare options. The preference underscores the value operators place on mission-specific timing, deployment control and orbital flexibility.
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Rocket Lab has challenged NASA’s decision to award Blue Origin a $700 million contract for a Mars orbiter, arguing the selection conflicts with eligibility requirements established by Congress. The protest puts the procurement’s compliance with those statutory rules under review.
Rocket Lab placed an Earth-observation satellite into orbit on Sept. 10 for a customer it did not identify. The company provided few mission details and no livestream, leaving the payload’s specifications, orbit and end use undisclosed.
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